JUNKIE | Award-Winning Short Film on Drug Addiction/Police | Based on a True Story

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Hey everyone! Just wanted to check in and say, on behalf of my team, THANK YOU for the support. Junkie was made in 2019 for a sophomore class at the University of Rhode Island. It was my very first legitimately produced film, so to see that it's reached over 13K people is mind-boggling! Filmmaking is a never-ending journey of growth and craft-building...so while there are many things I'd do differently if I were to make Junkie now, I am still proud of what my team and I accomplished with very limited time, resources, and experience. No, it is certainly not perfect, but it has an important message told authentically and with a caring hand. That being said, given the sensitive subject matter, any hateful comments will be deleted. Under no circumstances do I tolerate unproductive negativity on my sets, so I will not tolerate it in this space either. Thank you again to all those who have reached out to me personally about how the film has touched you. I am always so humbled to hear your stories. It's people like you who inspired me to go through all the challenges of creating this film in the first place! Remember, "it's never too late to start over". 😉

[@alanpowers5307]

Maybe some constructive criticism is warranted instead of deleting all the comments. If your a film maker than maybe you should get some tougher skin because the world is a tough place and especially a film on addiction. Im guessing your circle has no addicts so it makes sense your so sensitive

[@AlyssaBotelho]

@@alanpowers5307 “deleting all the comments”?? Take a look at the comment section, buddy. 😂 And please do not assume what my life is like and the broken people in it. That is a callous and incredibly ignorant thing to do when you’ve only seen a 20 minute short film I created years ago as a young student in college. What have YOU done with your life, might I ask? Show me something, anything, that I may return the favor and judge your entire personhood off of, and then we’ll talk. All the best!

[@NickRants]

@@AlyssaBotelho haha good job sticking up for yourself! Us young Filmmakers got it rough! Id love to know how you've made it so far, Im a student and just made my first Featured short film, Id love to see where you are at now!

[@AlyssaBotelho]

@@NickRants thank you! And ain’t that the truth haha. I graduated in ‘21 and am working in the industry now. I’d love to hear more about your background and your work! If you have IG, you can find me at @alyssa.botelho.

[@billy6pack887]

​@@alanpowers5307are you the guy who directed Drugstore Cowboy?

[@mauranessan3204]

As a recovering addict, while the premise of this video is excellent, the message, that recovery is possible; is extremely important. There were quite a few inaccuracies. Maybe next time, ask a few actual addicts for input. Small things like: most addicts smoke cigarettes or vape, smoking crack and eating pancakes are not a thing-it has the opposite effect, addicts do not leave their pills laying out all over the floor or laying out anywhere for that matter. The pills are always what is most valuable and are treated as such (or they are usually hidden). If the others at the hospital are also addicts, then he does belong there. No addict is better or worse than any other. The hospital is where he may take his first steps to sobriety thru detox (a safe medical detox), rehab and resources the hospital may provide.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment Maura. I appreciate that you drew something from this piece even with its inaccuracies. Truth be told - I made Junkie 4 years ago as a college sophomore and my approach to research and filmmaking as a whole has become significantly more robust since then. Practicing the art of honest storytelling is an ongoing learning process, and I hope your experience watching this short will encourage you to enjoy the films I release in the future!

[@ahhac704]

@@AlyssaBotelho here in Western Australia the poor persons rehab detox is 5 days in a clinic & im told all the help i need. Being dirt poor on a disabled pension leaves jack to live on when paying for me that help ie travel to & from. Support workers ect. As a prescription addit in first NDIS in these covid times leaves a huge shortfall in said help. Living as a senior independently in with no outside contacts family ect. .. leaves me not as the others who were first sent home not too distant past_ to die alone. But struggling not to die alone... So i hope this helps u. In your future film making. Btw i do have two alive adult pple i gave birth to. Both mature ppl in thier own right. Who can no longer cope with this crazy.. one lives elsewhere & one close enough who put his own life aside to look after me for 12 yrs almost. I am a very fortunate single mother addict. Thank u to all who support with untold patcience those like me.....

[@bellautopia818]

@@ahhac704 you're not alone, for what it's worth you got me in your corner now🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🧙🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️🧝🏻‍♀️🧝🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️👩🏻‍🚀👩🏻‍🚀👩🏻‍🎨👩🏻‍🎨👩🏻‍🎤👩🏻‍🎤👯‍♀️💃🏻💃🏻🧑‍🤝‍🧑👭👩🏼‍❤️‍👩🏼🧑🏻‍❤️‍🧑🏼🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌱🪄🧸🧸🧸🕯️

[@diablo666541]

I never had a desire for Crack when I was heroin addicted. This whole movie was way off or did I vape

[@jenadiahdavenport2212]

@@diablo666541 many heroin addicts also use crack to balance the high, actually. All 3 of my siblings were addicted. My brothers used oxy/heroin with cocaine, my sister used heroin with Crystal meth. Not every addict is the same.

[@EyesWideOpen77]

Nobody has ever smoked crack and then sat down to eat. Ever.

[@lisalep]

Exactly I smoked for years and only thing I wanted after a crack pipe was another pipe certainly not eating 🤣

[@RIFFRAFF104]

Crack munchies.. I work is ems. When users tell us they haven't eaten in days..

[@TLR1219]

No need to analyze it watch it or watch something else

[@underdogpsychosis2841]

Haha that's what i was thinking. I spend the 1st 5 minutes after smoking it just trying to stop myself from projectile vomiting.

[@darrellhouston8864]

FACTS!! Never in the history of man has someone said I'm Trynna get high!!! Let's go get some pancakes

[@markymarkdetroit5840]

I was gonna leave a comment about this not being realistic but who am I to criticize? I’m sitting here doing absolutely nothing with my life and I have the nerve to critique someone that’s actually out there making movies and has the balls to be who you want to be. I’m a pathetic sluggard who wants to be a writer but all I ever do is talk. Congratulations on the film.

[@amyshew1151]

Just because you’re “doing nothing “ ? Don’t devalue yourself . You still get to have an opinion : Constructive criticism - like inaccuracies in addict behavior , pills lying about , whatever . You matter - remember that !!!

[@markpicente3948]

I think it's in our name like a hair lip dog.. I've been doing Drug's and throwing my life away for Year's now I'm facing jail time and All I can think .About is my next fix.. get as high as I can before I go to the can...

[@rubenrodriguez826]

Amy Shaw Bless you and your positive and kind words. You're a diamond. Mark I've been banging B for 15 plus years, just fixed up so I get to play like a regular human for as long as the chemical's allow. I'm familiar with not only the monkey on my back but also have some emotional and mental challenges from overdosing a couple times for extended periods without oxygen and all that brain damage. I'm bottom of the barrel bro, besides my ranting on online comments I don't make it anyone else's issue and struggle with waking up dope sick and thinking about if bleach or ammonia would be more effective intravenously to get that eternal nod off. Then you get those little diamond moments amongst the big fragmented mirror- altruism, kindness, empathy, compassion, patience, courage, dedication, loyalty, humility, passion, humor, faith and m'fing forgiveness. Don't give up or give in, you've got this. I'll make sense sober

[@thagodwecreate5179]

Being a junky is like a requirement for being a good writer

[@riarecovered]

as a recovering fent addict at 16 this meant a lot to me. there’s hope for me and YOU

[@tiggercampbell6198]

never give up on family..especially the addict..including is the best medicine..

[@angelicamichelle1646]

Yeah? Well I've partied here n there but God blessedly not totally lost . Besides I couldn't afford to. I have a worse addiction to food and home but I have a family that SWEARS in m drug rattled ,slut,whore, pice of poo. Hyla I've never had a DUI dwi passed every p test for a job and never been in prison . I have no one . I don't understand why

[@justbuzzed8313]

I know the "we would rather not have you there" feeling. People fail to understand that drug addicts have a disease and they are human beings with feelings too. I have been avoided way to often over the years because of my addiction even though I never put it in their faces. Its just sad when the family turns their back on you when your at your lowest. Thank God I am strong and can rise above all that but it still hurts.

[@egyjuice]

I know it JustBuzzed I am their now what a horrible feeling when you just open your eyes in the morning and the journey of every day begin.. Terrible

[@donaldfeger91]

TrueThat!

[@القائد-ك6ه]

I encourage you and I want to be your friend and give you the motivation to beat your addiction and I will be by your side if you want to connect with us every day

[@dd7694]

Disgusting to call heroin use a disease, there's children dying of brain cancer.

[@meetoo2330]

@16.00 when he said “come on you know you don’t belong here with THESE people” broke my heart. We are all “these” people, some of us just have had better starts in life or didn’t take a wrong turn. There are a lot of functional drug abusers out there they just have a socially accept form of addiction and no one knows.

[@arievena19744]

Very, very true. Some addictions more acceptable than others, i.e., caffeine, nicotine, sex, food. Back in 1700's, chocolate was considered a sinful addiction. Prayers for all who are under the spirit of pharmakia.

[@lilithvondark5103]

@Mee Too i thought the same! I had actually a very good childhood ... school exams etc im a became a Nurse in 2008 i got my Diploma but between all this and the following years some really bad bad bad shit happend I was 14 when i was already an alcoholic .. took pills BUT since August 2014 im sober didnt touched one drop of Alcohol .. i thought ok maybe NOW lifes gonna be a lil bit on my side .. it wasnt my mother had to go to jail ... my grandmother who was more mother to me then my real Mom, but it came worse too me i had to deal with some really dark shit! I replaced the Alcohol with more pills and ended up snorting Heroin ... After realizing i just work my ass off for the smiling face of my dealer and i couldnt even buy me new clothes for 4 years i turned my life AGAIN around and i went to detox! "THESE" people as you say can be everybody! Everybody can end up as an addict nobody is immune! NOBODY! BUT everybody can turn your life around! Everybody can get life back! Yes it is a hard dark painful way but its worth it soooo worth it im glad i checked myself into detox of course the first 10 days were worse than living hell but when i look back .. not as worse as beeing a "hidden" junkie slowly dying everyday , thats the TRUE Hell! Sorry that i wrote a little Book here ... To anybody who may read this i send you love ,light & strenght! Love from Luxembourg/Europe 🙏🏻💜🙏🏻

[@autumnroxielynn2423]

there are also many functioning hard drug addicts that are able to balance being a functioning member of society with noone ever being the wiser. it is significantly more common than you would ever think.

[@meetoo2330]

@@lilithvondark5103 hey I am so glad to hear you are doing better. You should be so proud of yourself and how you have come so far. Good for you 💗

[@lilithvondark5103]

@@meetoo2330 awww thank you sooo much i think when you really want to end doing this you CAN DO IT! You can ! Belive in yourself and when your at your lowest you realize damn im stronger than i thought! Send you light & hugs Stay save and healthy 🙏🏻💜 beautiful soul

[@larrymaynard]

I started again after 9 years and 3 months took me it took me 15 years to quit again and it was way worse dont do it keep doing what you are doing

[@Luckyluke870]

Currently trying to get clean. Hope I can make it. Much luv everyone

[@brandicecrisp6107]

Good luck ( if that’s even a proper thing to say ) it’s difficult and depending on your situation it may seem impossible. It is though. Personal experience; recovery is progressive as is addiction. Each time you stop and go back it gets worse and every WORSE can always be countered and eventually YOU WILL GET IT ( sobriety ) sounds umm cliché 🙂 You’re worth it, for sure. So seriously WELL WISHES

[@jasonwhite7226]

Right behind you. Race you to sobriety. Good luck fam.

[@Bluesmusicno1]

I'm 9 months in recovery here in Scotland, good film 🎥

[@charissekauhn3130]

Agree with many of the comments as an exaddict. You want to be as realistic as possible when it comes to life saving messages. Only an addict knows an addict so be sure to do your homework if you plan on another project. But from someone who finds this subject falls close to her heart, I am touched and applaud you for giving this matter your time and attention. Drug addiction devastates the lives of millions every year and the cause needs all the help it can get. The more accurate you can be in your presentation, the more powerful the impact will be. Keep going!

[@onenonlysarahd5158]

Agreed 💯

[@hannahmadrid3599]

For anyone who likes to watch these types of movies/documentaries I HIGHLY recommend watching "my pregnant girlfriend is addicted to heroin" it's an unbelievable documentary and followed a couple around for years, it's an eye opener for sure.

[@larawoodham4485]

Dude I just saw that... talk about RAW

[@meetoo2330]

Thanks for the recommendation, great doco

[@zgypsy16]

thanx mate, gunna look that up now and watch!!

[@omggglaughinggg]

Imma go watch it now, thanks for sugg

[@bey976]

Just watched before this

[@GrandmaSunshineDragon]

I've never tried meth. Unfortunately I have many friends who have. I've been to 3 funerals where a child of the deceased was so fucked up. First time it was mid-august in NE and the daughter of the deceased (her Mom) was wearing a long-sleeved sweater. Second time my friend was so spun he couldn't stay seated during the service for his Dad. Third one the daughter showed up to her mom's funeral nearly 45 minutes late with a guy and they were both spun. Breaks my heart. 💔 I'm so fortunate to never.

[@dontdominateme]

The last funeral I went to my uncle's.every damn person there except like 5 we're addicts who had done dope with him.many of my cousins I had not seen in years.i took a picture with all of them because I know they are all slowly falling off one at a time.

[@larryroxas7921]

i wish i get my life back addiction is real...

[@fastcrxzc]

Great movie. Im a struggling recovering addict myself. Its so hard and people that have never walked in our shoes will never understand. The world is slowly making a turn and realizing that we dont choose this life. We made one wrong decision and got hooked. Nobody wakes up one day and says i want to be an addict. I hope everyone whos struggling out there can get the strength to overcome their demons. I know the battle all too well ive tried staying sober over 50 times now. Anyway take care everybody and thanks for the movie

[@nursedaniel72]

Omg the phone call about the death of the family member and request you not come due to your CONDITION. I am recovered addict and many many years ago I went through that situation. Nowadays I'd be the first person notified and the one to console everyone. That's recovery. 😊

[@Dana_Lynn]

I love that

[@charissekauhn3130]

Yes me too! I love my sober life. It's beautiful.

[@hobiecat9225]

For the fact checkers, 109,000 film views in the first year is about equal to number of U.S. opioid OD deaths in same time period. None of us have ran down to the diner to order a double stack of pancakes with bananas and chocolate to complete our crack appetizer, lol. But let’s be thankful we are still alive with a phone in our hand and functioning enough to applaud Alyssa for tackling a subject that really hits home with us all. Thanks Alyssa!

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Wow, I think you just won the comment section. Thank you for watching and appreciating (even though, as I’ve since learned, crack & pancakes go together like toothpaste & orange juice 😂)!

[@johnnymyers4406]

Sometimes that's all a junkie needs to hear some words of inspiration

[@steverodriguez7520]

Yeah what Johnny said. Hearing words of inspiration from external source is all someone needs to get clean. Its so much better than motivational interviewing or getting connected with a psychiatrist to get prescribed medication or therapy or even going to a harm reduction center to get clean supplies and get their drugs tested. Johnny you and the director of this film should come to where I work at and actually spend a day with people who actually use. Might learn a thing or two. Btw calling someone a junkie is stigmatizing to someone who uses drugs. No better than calling someone who like to eat a fatty or a white person a cracker. It’s a generalization and it’s used in the social realm to bring down someone’s social status. Separating the behavior from the person is definitely a step in the right direction.

[@radicalhonesty3628]

I can't focus on this video, no matter how hard I try. I'm in agony. In hell. Wish to die. Nothing I long for for, nothing I wish for: other than death. I hate it here. I hate life on this planet. I cannot bear another moment of this endless loop of suffering...

[@heatherfox986]

Hi, I hope you are OK. ❤️I'm here if you need a friend

[@jewelhaines8842]

As a former addict, I can attest you NEVER would do crack and eat food.

[@phineascampbell3103]

Based on the first scene, pancakes and laughter, I think the film maker and actors, their referent for crack highs was smoking weed. Tumbling gleefully into a café for food, that's not how a crack user is likely to be after a smoke. But anyway, it doesn't matter, just a pedantic insight! 🙂🐈

[@AlyssaBotelho]

I totally agree and thank you for being kind with your comment! There are MANY things I’d do differently if I were to make Junkie now (my team and I were only sophomores in college at the time). Details like this are really important to me so I wish I could go back and change them, but alas, filmmaking is a learning process!

[@phineascampbell3103]

@@AlyssaBotelho well I enjoyed the thing, don't worry. And my point was a minor detail only a person bothered about exact drug facts would even mention. It didn't undermine the story at all

[@lynnalexander9674]

Exactly. Having been a "junkie" in the past, I wdnt continue watching. Research.. v important.

[@helenbartoszek243]

You are not being pedantic as it is important to be accurate no matter what a film Is about.

[@datboyTen.x]

i was born on 16 april of 2002 and i started doing drugs in 2016. i was already smoking weed and drinking sometimes but when i first met Kevin, a guy that was a couple years older than me and was doing a LOT of drugs i really started doing that shit too. in the period between september and december of 2016 i started doing xanax, lean, hydrocodone, percs, oxys, dxm, acid, ecstasy, shrooms, cocaine and ketamine. Kevin was going twice as hard as me and was doing all the drugs i also did but with crack, meth, even PCP and his most loved substance, heroin. i remember that 2016/17/18 were crazy times. we would meet up before school, after school and every night, and all we did was do drugs, go to parties and basically do whatever we wanted. but if this sound fun, well i admit it was for the most part but a lot of problems were running after us. he died at 18 years old on Christmas Day of 2018 for a terrible drug mix (he was on cocaine, ketamine and heroin in large quantities). when this happened i was shocked. i kinda knew his day was coming because the last 2/3 months of his life were terrible. he stopped going out a lot and all he did was staying at home high as fuck not even able to move his body for hours. after this happened, i almost himmediatly stopped with that lifestyle. one of the hardest things of my life for sure, i was really addicted. i'll admit, i never stopped with everything but all i do nowdays is smoke, drink and do some acid or shrooms sometimes (not often tho). R.I.P. kevin, my best friend.

[@dontdominateme]

Hugs. I just said today in my opinion the most dangerous addict is the solo addict. When an addict gets to a point where it's not even a social thing or even shared with a partner they have hit the bottom.i say it's the most dangerous because now with OD on the rise and fentanyl being an issue the solo addicts will surely die.although I have seen many "friends" leave someone to die I still feel a solo addict is the most dangerous.my sister died 1/23/13 26 years old.she left me a baby to raise.i still can't believe I type those words.my baby sister is dead.im glad your still here my friend.i am sorry your friend didn't get a chance just like my sister but you and I can make a difference and spread awareness.

[@datboyTen.x]

@@dontdominateme fucking truth. i was doing a lot of drugs but at least i was doing them to have fun, if everything that keeps you going Is also something thats killing u, u know u are at your rock bottom. i know kevin was really depressed cause his mom hated him and didnt even want to talk to him and that was what took him to the edge

[@dontdominateme]

@@datboyTen.x drugs are never the answer even on a social level. To me I feel like when myself or anyone else I know use drugs in the past there was always something emotional at the root of it. Drugs make you feel good they put you in a fake sense of happiness and they make everything feel better. But eventually they no longer do their job and you're just using to try to be halfway normal and not be sick. I love everyone. Addicts or not. Everyone is human. However the drug game has changed drastically. Everything is lace with fentanyl now and you just never know if you're last high is the last breath you take on Earth. To me it's not worth it. Be safe my friend. I'm always here if you ever need to talk

[@bradycall1889]

I like how the beardless cop was rather calm about the situation.

[@mernofficial7525]

It spoke my heart.....i am an addict and its hard...i lost everything because of addiction.now i am completely alone ,facing these hard times everyday with all myself.i wish and pray that i can come back to life

[@AlyssaBotelho]

You’ve got this! Sending you love and strength!

[@HULLGRAFFITI]

I clicked expecting a new version of the William Burrows classic 'junky' that is a super authentic take on the reality ..But this is the most unconvincing portrail of drug use Ive seen in a while..Ppl on gear just don't talk ,act or even take their dugs like this..

[@Dstevens1210]

Agree. Thought this film was horrible. It's almost like it was written from the perspective of a adolescent who has no connection to the world of addiction/crime.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

@@Dstevens1210 Maybe if you read the pinned comment you’d educate yourself a bit on the context of this short’s creation. 😊

[@happygirl4490]

Maybe I am wrong but I have never seen anyone share crack and not fight over it. Nor have I seen someone on crack out in public being loud or even wanting food for that matter. Usually they are at home, hiding under the kitchen table.

[@kellywilliamson2187]

Yeah, so, the last thing you want when smoking crack is food, so, you lost me right there.

[@JomToons]

This is unreal. Such a good job guys!!

[@mjmsupreme3438]

Loved it! .... And yes, it's certainly never too late to start over.

[@troyjenkins5474]

Seems like this is based on true events... This is exactly how life on drugs play out When you are doing wrong Your luck stays bad You go from one set of problems to another set of problems

[@xaviersimon547]

Wow this is an awesome short film! Definitely sharing this!

[@MalcolmBlakeSeeAndHear]

I work in a treatment facility and we will be doing a film study with the residents on this film. Thank you for the wonderful film making and engaging narrative, it will prove very helpful to many struggling with their addictions.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Thank you so much for this comment. I made this film my junior year of college, and while there are many things I would like to improve about it, I’m still proud of its message and the work that went into telling the story authentically. Thank you for the very important work that you’re doing!

[@MalcolmBlakeSeeAndHear]

@@AlyssaBotelho pleasure :) it stands up very well👌...we had fun analysing the movie and had some deep discussion around various themes it brought into focus. The trauma of regret and feelings of shame and isolation Whitney had to face in the wake of his mother's death, and being shunned from the funeral was a major talking point. His low self esteem. Also his lack of boundaries and people pleasing in not being able to say no to the bad friend. Besides the excellent Whitney, the good cop was the other stand out favourite and the dialogue of hope that he brings at the end. Another fun thing discussed was the "going back in" and "better this time" - it's left open to interpretation as to where that is - Jail, rehab, home etc.

[@lilmisspsychopathic6802]

I go to a drug center because I am an addict and ino for an actual fact you're not allowed to post this . AT ALL ..so please take it down . It is a betrayal of trust .

[@eleoneserenity6568]

@@lilmisspsychopathic6802 as long as she doesn't mention the patients name or data it's absolutely fine, what do you mean?

[@lrj1827]

Great film! Well done guys👏🙏

[@jtompkins1277]

Afterschool special material right here.

[@Monk-eee]

***** I think people are missing the point.... Yes it may need a bit tweaking hear and there to make it seem more realistic. But this is coming from the perspective of the producer and what she knew at the time. The concept and the facts behind it still are the same and stand true today as well as when this was made, addiction is horrible. It does not discriminate it will take you your sister or brother, your mom or dad, your grandmother or grand father, an uncle or and aunt, a cousin or a neighbor, the mayor or the pastor a doctor or the garbage man.... All it takes is for you to be prescribed a pain killer and you take that painkiller for 3 days straight and you too can become like these boys where depicted in the short movie.... And after you become an addict and want to stop I hope that while you where actively using you didn't lose it all. Your home, family, job, money, friends and your able to crawl out of the depths of hell that is addiction and get sober. And after your able to get 24 hours under your belt I pray that your able to do it again for every day after that. Because it took me about 18 years to get 24 hours sober and keep doing it and today I have 3 years and one month sober!!! But I definetly couldn't do it alone, we can't thats why theres a little quote I love "alone I can't together WE can" AICTWC and ODAAT "one day at a time" simple but hold so much meaning and have helped keep this addict sober j4t just for today...... Thank you Alyssa for your wonderful piece on the throws of addiction and a piece of what its like.....

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Thank you SO much for your comment Kathrin, and a huge congratulations on your sobriety!!

[@Monk-eee]

@@AlyssaBotelho you are welcome sweetheart, and thank you.... ps my daughters name is Alyssa, named by me shes 18 and graduating HS this week going to college to be a trauma nurse. I look forward to her college journey and hope she allows herself to make mistakes, but also learned from the mistakes that her mother made. All I can do is support her in all she is and pray she is okay in all she does...✌💜😄

[@mrshaneobuenosnodgrass3328]

It's a good film. Just as a producer you should do a little research on the subject you are making a film about. No bid deal though. I enjoyed it still. Congrats on your sobriety. I have over 3 years myself off of crack and alcohol. Keep up the good work.

[@roybutler5802]

My comment is to Amanda. Thank-you for your individual comments. I've taken drugs since I was 16 and I'm now 60. I had a break of 10 yrs between 33 and 43 due to a stint in rehab for opiate addiction. It was RET and CBT based not 12 step. I learned to ask myself the right questions. The last 10 yrs I've taken psychedelics but not many opiates. My view has definitely evolved. If society wasn't so black and white and adversarial I think another of people wouldn't have drug problems. Life is not either or its And. Thank-you to the filmmakers for starting a conversation and Thank-you to Amanda for showing some And

[@michaelafornaro1023]

So good!! Great job! ✨it’s the producers for me✨

[@amandahardee9405]

My only critique and I've been doing drugs since 12 and I'm 42. I've NEVER been peer pressured into anything, in fact I was refused many times not to do drugs when I was hanging out with older addicts. But being stubborn and curious I wanted to try everything. I luckily didn't have terrible terrible experiences early on Just mind expansion and consciousness awareness. But as I started doing harder drugs I did run into some shady situations but I learned so much good and bad. luckily I had family and friends that were supportive and never judged me. I also never stole from them or lied. I felt like honesty was best so they always knew where I was if I took off for a few days. And because Ive been on my own since 17, I never did it in their home or in front of my kid. I know every junkies story is different, but usually what's portrayed is soo sad and jail, degradation, overdoses, cps, abuse, sex trafficking, homelessness ect. So I just want to say I've meet plenty of functioning loving addicts. That have jobs, and families that they love and that love them.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Thank you for adding to the conversation Amanda. Every addict’s story is different!

[@donmarleyreacts7705]

I'm an addict only to cannabis any other drugs is a no no for me 😍😋

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Yeah, junkies generally aren't into sharing.

[@Burnthealphabetpeople]

@@jonathansteadman7935 thank god my addict n plug friends are always get some free coke n dope when i cop so i dont gotta use all mine

[@tehseenfatima-m9l]

The guy who looks junki is not other one is

[@andyokus5735]

Alyssa Congratulations! Good job. Nice music at the end.

[@jenniferbotelho5043]

This was sooo good!

[@jburnettfilms]

You truly are an incredible filmmaker, the amount growth between this film and To Dust All Return is remarkable. You are so hardworking, and so talented, and your future work as a writer/director is gonna be absolutely wonderful to see.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Jonathan this means so much coming from you!! Thank you so much - you are a joy to work with and are incredibly inspiring yourself!

[@aileenwagner2576]

I agree!!!!

[@jacktank5975]

That's how my friends, words save lives.... Choose them wisely 🌻

[@muklismeah367]

I’m a recovering H + C, addict. Been H, free for just over 2 years, took me nearly 30 years but like they say better late than never.

[@bellautopia818]

Your art, is medicine is magic is love.. ty🙏

[@labrxx]

I love the pacing of this and the nightmare sequence. Excellently made.

[@robusttherezinated9311]

So incredible.🔥🔥🔥

[@kerethat1683]

👍👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️💯💯💯💯💯 , beautiful , I wish it was a little longer ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@FLBeautyQueen]

Great job on this film! Does anyone else see the resemblance of the character Whitney and Seth Green!?

[@ddz1375]

This was a good attempt at a movie about Junkies but please do your research and ask actual drug addicts about the behaviors they exhibit and mannerisms. A junkie would never leave their pills on the floor and a crackhead would never for one have a stem that long or go and eat pancakes after getting a hit. It's the opposite you don't eat for nothing. And if they were going to be smoking or not they'd roll up a turbo instead. And oxycontins are so very difficult to get these days you got to be dying of cancer and even then the doctor might give you 10. Also police officers don't do that lean on the table and be dismissive Behavior crap. They either drill you or ignore you. But you've done a great job I like how you set up the scenes and your camera work is pretty good. Thanks for being interested in addiction I hope this movie helps people.

[@crichey56]

brilliant. enjoyed it very much.

[@bausmane]

_a few things that fall short of reality:_ didn't wake up detoxing, had to ask if it was oxy, also FREE? c’mon, and the cop didn't shoot him.

[@ElizabethT.]

Hi Alyssa!! ❤️ My "professional" review: I remembered seeing this film with Andrea at the town hall in Fairhaven, MA. (We made it a gal's night.) I just rewatched it, though, and yeah, of course, it could be a little better! Alyssa was a young college student at the time! However, the scenery, the script (majority), the camera work (the shots & angles), the lighting, the wardrobe, props, etc., were AWESOME! Maybe the actors OVER acted a little, but they did well, too. They could tone it down a little, make it more realistic. I liked the ending because being an addict myself, it is true; sometimes, in order to get it through your thick skull and possibly get some help, all you need to hear is a kind word. When Whitney got it from an unexpected source - a cop - it seemed to really hit home with him. That is also how it is in real life. You never know when you'll hear someone say something that really clicks that will make you want to turn your life around. Great message, Alyssa, to all the addicts everywhere, that there's still HOPE for you, as long as you're not lying in a coffin! Once you find that hope in your heart ❤️ again, you will see that there is HELP out there, too. You just have to reach out! 😊 God 🙌 is with you, Alyssa. 🙏

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Hi Liz!! Thank you so much for watching and for this comment! It's crazy that you and your friend came to see it back then - full circle moment! I cringe so hard at all the things I want to do differently, but I keep telling myself it's not about me, it's about the message. There's still HOPE and LOVE for people struggling with addiction. I'm so glad you've found your hope. You are radiant and so full of life. I'm so glad you've come into my family's life. I'd love to spend more time with you and to hear some of your story ideas!

[@milesonewheelwinter]

As a recovering addict I must say ain't nobody fkin with pancakes following a hit of crack!!!!!!!

[@gregorydasilva]

So cool

[@hanmantbodke4786]

best cinematography

[@joelbudd2589]

this was really good. seriously, I really enjoyed it

[@jpmtlhead39]

Iam a recovering addict after 37 years, of drugs (alchool included, because, its so dangerous, has Heroin), i was a 24/7 addict. But I can relate to those caracthers. Specialy, the "main" one. I dont see them as junkies, but 2 guys having a good time. I dont see the despair And misery, what being a real junkie life his... But thats me.

[@Dongyuuu]

Damnn. I miss being high. Been sober for 5 years now. And the road to soberness is hell.

[@tinaperez5006]

You keep going 💕 Don’t give up your strong

[@tiggercampbell6198]

but going back is waaay worse!! I relapsed after my mum passed..first couple tokes was fun..the 5th 6th and after that the paranoia hit..soneone was outside my door.. mb in the other room.?? and coming down was awful..the wanting more but not wanting more..it took 45 minutes to smoke and 3 hours to come down.. that was pure hell..

[@SabriaFrancois]

You got this ,keep going love ❤️💪🏽

[@blairbushproject]

You don’t miss misery. You miss that first only. Because everything after the first is hell. That is the demon calling you.

[@charissekauhn3130]

By yourself yes, sobriety is hell. With God you can joy in your sobriety. It's worth a try....ex addict living for God so I know.

[@gailenefuller8330]

People don't what to except that you can be drug free

[@virginiabosen1401]

Pancakes and crack go together like lice and hairspray lol

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Out of all the comments pointing out this mistake, this one takes the cake 😂 I won’t give another spiel about being a young filmmaker at this time of creating Junkie & overlooking certain details like this…just appreciate your viewership and this comment hahaha

[@mykrotour6928]

Im so mad at KZbin been trying to watch this film but it keeps buffering everytime😡😭

[@michaeleire6951]

In Dublin Ireland a junkie is a horrible thing to say about a human being. Recovering myself in Ireland junkie is the most degrading word . A junkie means take anything bleach fly spray. I have unfortunately a addiction problems on both sides. I was brought up in a brilliant household. We weren't rich in money we were rich in love. My mam house was always full of love. Anybody can become a addict but I find the name of this is discriminatory.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Exactly the point my friend! We should never put degrading labels on others. If you pay attention to the theme of the film, this labeling is a form of “dramatic irony”.

[@martinlong2804]

The name junkie is the name people who don't understand . Feel more important than a junkie . Use that label 🏷 to dismiss responsibility. Best of luck on your recovery 👍. Remember it is a bubble and stay out of the bubble. Dublin has long history of drugs as bad as New York in the 70s .Good luck from Cork on your recovery and any one else on recovery.

[@michaeleire6951]

@@martinlong2804 thanks Martin I've been clean over 10 years so it gets easier. One of things I couldn't believe was the constant suspicion that I had off everyone. Swear I was a monster

[@martinlong2804]

@@michaeleire6951 you are one of the lucky one's and I'm proud of you. All of Ireland is a wash with it now. I lost a lot people over it and I'm trying to get my nice to see light. I happy for you and I mean it .take care

[@michaeleire6951]

@@martinlong2804 thank you Martin and I hope you can straighten out your niece. At least she has someone like you to look after her and not take advantage. Sit her down ask her would she be a prostitute . Straight out. I know beutiful birds doing that . Awful. Thanks Martin I'll say prayer for your nice👊

[@Aaron-oc4iy]

Most places an addiction can go for help, only care about one thing and that's money. Treatment centers could care less if you get off drugs or not. When you walk in the door and the first thing they ask you is, do you have your money for this session. Rather than how are you. How was your weekend. Anything you want to talk about. Feeling ok. Really shows they could care less about you. And that's just part of what's wrong. You also have counselors who abuse their authority to gain sexual favors from their clients. When it's up to them weather or not you go to jail or get to go back to work after failing a random drug test or even if you lose your kids or not. These mother fuckers use this power to get what they want from you. Both male and female counselors do it. When a person is at their lowest and they are facing jail, losing their job or kids, most but not all give in to them. And it does no good to try and say anything to anyone because who is going to believe an addiction anyway. I was one of the ones who said no. And I knew I wasn't going back to work. I often think back how different my life would be now if it wasn't for a fat, nasty lieing bitch that was my counselor at Add Care in Greenville south Carolina. Maybe if I would have fucked that cunt my life would have been alot different. But I will never know. Now here I am 25 years later still on drugs. I have survived several attempts at suicide and have gone through hell and put my family through hell. I have learned not to let my addiction control me. I have a job, home, and vehicles. I have everything I need and alot of things I just want. If you know someone that's an addic, being mean and hateful to them only makes things worse. But you can't enable them either. It's a hard life.

[@michelledumsar9075]

Pronounce and Robust “Let it Flow” nice touch

[@alansmithee9759]

This was great! When is To Dust All Return going to come out??

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Thank you! To Dust All Return will be posted online late next year after its film festival run. It may premiere at one near you! All festival announcements are made on the Facebook page facebook.com/ToDustAllReturn.

[@dd7694]

If narcan was banned theft and robbery rates would drop incredibly and children could live & play in safer communities.

[@mychannel-rt2gn]

But kids would be finding stumbling onto a lot more dead bodies

[@bookreaderson]

The filming n quality n great tho

[@doughoppens8187]

As a retired writer, whose not really retired, I need to say the following. Well done. Great choice of script. I don't know if you read these or not, but I have a question. Feel free to reply if you're open to speak further. Have an awesome evening.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Hi Doug, I’m always down to chat with a fellow writer! Thank you for the kind comment and for watching.

[@doughoppens8187]

@@AlyssaBotelho I have something for you to look at. It's a short that was written for the live theatre, however I've always secretly wanted to put it to film. You probably haven't seen this writing style since the late 60s or early seventies. Perhaps you might find it a worthy work. Let me know where to send it if you decide to grant me permission to send it. You are quite talented.

[@AlyssaBotelho]

I’m intrigued! Do you have Facebook or Instagram? Please feel free to send me a DM! I’d love to chat more about your story. And thank you for your kind compliments. 😊

[@doughoppens8187]

@@AlyssaBotelho sent ya a friend request and Dm

[@jefflyon2020]

Never hankered for waffles, pancakes or ANYTHING to eat after getting wired on speed,crack or whatever stimulant they smoked prior to entering the restaurant, cold water and place to exist without others is whats needed.But that was a good quickie and touches on positive points that yet seem in a negative story line,....but yes, dopers do answer questions with honesty more often than not.Yes, they are still human, feel sadness and regrets, know that coppers have most difficult and daunting jobs ever, plus average more undeserved dis-respect than even hopeless junkies usually encounter on most shitty days.Even though they only play a small part in destroying the family, they take ALL the blame.Then, blame themselves even more, regardless of the extent of damage done, or implied. Plus, a junkie, never passed on a couple 30mg oxy-blueberries before going shopping for a new get-up....ever, ever, ever, but the movie was well acted and written.

[@cierrarachael9949]

3 minutes in and this is a farce. Whoever wrote this is not an addict. This is based on the distant memory of an idea of what an addict is.

[@SunnySingh-eh9ml]

Good job team

[@PlatinumX0]

You don’t get hi and eat usually that’s strange they will feel sick from that if they force food

[@tarynmosakowski3512]

Is that what they think ppl really act like? Yikes, subpar, I've never met anyone who acts like that in real life.

[@johnathonoppel393]

True no one leave’s there Xanax or trazodone everywhere and adicts have to get drunk to avoid withdrawals from either when they can’t get there usual fix

[@nachmanedes9460]

It's not that easy! But thanks for the consideration!!

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Are you referring to filmmaking? Because I absolutely agree! Thanks for YOUR consideration! ❤️

[@Lugh444]

The filmwork and acting isn't bad at all, I like it! But I really don't understand why they centered the film on drug addiction when it's clear they know absolutely nothing about their subject matter. I'm a recovering heroin addict myself

[@crustydinglecherry3451]

My fav movie

[@chrisoliveras5488]

Yes exactly

[@chrisoliveras5488]

And Hugo made Christopher like girls that are babies

[@stunnedmulletblah9714]

Music with a heavy bass yard to play a part in my addictions . If I had to get my children off it I would definitely ditch the music

[@janekwiatkowski5923]

i must say ive never wanted panvakes after a pipe

[@johnmelville9645]

For starters junkies don't share their gear if they are using hard they don't smoke dake most junkies I have known are not loud and rude as they don't want attention

[@CatBrash]

have you ever been an active drug addict??

[@PAULPINBALL]

Excellante’!

[@titimel5394]

Big fan I loved it🖤

[@jamesheenan7460]

Unrealistic start to the film, there’s no way you would wanna eat after hitting a crack pipe, these man ordering pancakes , what a joke

[@chrisoliveras5488]

Oh so that’s why

[@blueboy_0272]

Visually it looks good. I’m sure your writing will improve as you mature. Keep working towards your goals… Blue

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Thank you! It certainly has (this piece is 4 years old). If you are interested in historical thrillers, the 18th century, and witchcraft, please consider sticking around for the release of my latest short this October. 🧙🏻‍♀️🌙

[@darrenaronofsky3748]

anyone know what song is playing in the beginning?

[@AlyssaBotelho]

That’s Let It Flow by PNR, a New England rapper and good friend of mine! m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYuUlYRnjs6Ujbs

[@user-ln4qe1sh8i]

@@AlyssaBotelho important to mention these artists sampled the "Beastie Boys" on this track 👏

[@trauma8903]

Why they so loud in the restaurant

[@chrisoliveras5488]

Exactly

[@scottthompson5800]

pancakes after crack? 😏🤔

[@v.ali7]

15:50 would've been a great line if the cop said but it's not too late to become a hero instead ✌️

[@rahatkhan6730]

Which watermark app did you use in this video?

[@analogalien651]

Crack and pancakes? Now we’re living!

[@joshua7233]

This film is just not at all accurate on what addiction is like.

[@phayyssall]

Is this a movie 🤔seriously

[@eastcoastantics1844]

Theres no way this won an award...

[@gameplay19879]

Parabéns pelo video do the last of us. Você interpretou muito bem a ellie

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Obrigado!

[@wakeoftheflood2]

So are they New Bedford police or Brockton police

[@AlyssaBotelho]

Haha good eye! The uniform shop who donated clothing couldn’t give us matching badges & patches (too close to “impersonating a police officer”), so we had to switch it up.